A homophone is a word which is pronounced like another word with a different spelling and meaning. Words which sound alike are often confused. Choosing the incorrect spelling of a homophone can drastically change the meaning of what you write.

One of the first items on your editor’s agenda is to make sure you really meant to say what you wrote. Writing the wrong word when you meant something else will confuse, irritate and frustrate your readers. Often, nouns and verbs which sound similar are confused for one another. This quick guide will help you choose the right word.